Fast, accurate, and effortless payroll for child care

Run payroll in minutes, file taxes automatically, and manage time tracking - all in one place, with no extra logins or hidden fees.

Join 500,000+ owners, directors, teachers, and families already on Playground

Fewer systems

Paying staff shouldn’t require a separate system

Other child care platforms make you integrate with a third-party payroll provider. That means another login, more double entry, and surprise costs. Playground Payroll is fully built-in, so everything from timesheets to tax filing lives in one place.

Includes contractors, nonprofits, and all 50 states

For customers who want everything under one roof

Designed specifically for child care programs

"Switching to Playground Payroll cut our admin time in half. No more logging into three different systems just to run payroll."

Director, Busy Bees Academy, TX

More automation

Run payroll in minutes while we handle the hard stuff

Playground handles payroll, taxes, time tracking, and compliance automatically. You stay focused on your team. We’ll take care of the calculations, filings, and deadlines.

• Payroll taxes calculated, deducted, and filed every run
• I-9s, W-2s, and 1099s automatically created and sent
• Free migration of prior payroll data
• Unlimited payroll runs – no per-run fees
• Direct deposit or paper checks — your choice

"We are losing doing payroll through Playground! It is so quick and easy!"

Director, Manning Child Care Center

Time tracking

Effortless time tracking that syncs with payroll automatically & saves you money

Playground Payroll includes built-in tools for clocking in, managing breaks, and scheduling staff—no extra software required.

• Clock in/out, break tracking, and PTO management
• All time data synced directly into payroll
• Staff scheduling tools included
• Restrict staff from clocking in more than 5 minutes before their scheduled shift

Protecting your program

Avoid costly mistakes before they happen

We track ever-changing tax laws so you don’t have to. With Playground, you get peace of mind that every payment, filing, and form is handled correctly.

• Automatic compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws
• Built-in error detection before anything goes out
• All documents stored and organized digitally

"Before Playground, tax season was a nightmare. Now it just happens."

Owner, Little Lanterns, FL

Intuitive

Payroll your staff will actually like

With the Playground mobile app, your team can see paystubs, view schedules, and complete forms on the go.

• Paystubs and tax forms available in the app
• Mobile-friendly W-2 onboarding
• Easy visibility into upcoming schedules

"Our teachers love being able to check pay and schedules from their phones."

Admin, Maplewood Kids, CA

Playground helps with the entire financial picture of your program

FAQs

What does Playground Payroll include?

Playground Payroll is a full-service payroll system built for child care providers. It includes automated payroll runs, tax filing, time tracking, staff scheduling, and compliance across all 50 states.

Can staff track hours directly in Playground Payroll?

Does Playground Payroll handle tax filing and compliance?

Can PTO be tracked and paid out through Playground Payroll?

Does Playground Payroll support benefits like 401(k) or workers’ comp?

Is Playground Payroll included in the core subscription?